Sabahuddin’s lawyer to move SC

The defence lawyers of Fahim Ansari concluded their arguments in the Bombay high court on Friday.

Ansari was acquitted by the trial court of the charge of providing local support in connection with the 26/11 terror attacks. The state government filed an appeal against his and co-accused Sabahuddin Ahmed’s acquittal.

The high court has already heard arguments from both sides on the reference for confirmation of death sentence awarded to Pakistani gunman Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab.

Ahmed’s lawyer Ejaz Naqvi, who had been told to open his arguments on Friday, did not advance, and instead sought stay on the proceedings stating that he would be moving the Supreme Court to challenge the appointment of Ujjwal Nikam as special prosecutor in the case.

The division bench of justice Ranjana Desai and justice RV More took strong objection to the conduct of the defence lawyer saying he was not acting properly. The bench recorded its observation in an order and forwarded it to the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa.

On Monday, the court will hear the rejoinder from Ansari’s lawyer RB Mokashi, and then it is likely to reserve its order on the reference for confirmation of death sentence and the appeal filed by the state.

Rattled by the backlash, Varun sought to deny the statements saying the recording had been doctored.